Lu Dort lands at No. 3 among Western Conference shooting guards in a ranking that focuses on the 2025-26 season's fantasy upside. Anthony Edwards anchors a tier atop the West, combining scoring, playmaking and volume as Minnesota builds around him. Dort flashed a career defensive peak, earning All-Defense honors while staying a sharp 3-point threat—his value leans heavily on multi-category contributions and defensive hustle that translate into steady fantasy output.

Amen Thompson and Austin Reaves headline the next tier, bringing elite athleticism and versatile scoring—Thompson with breakout potential in transition, Reaves as a reliable secondary scorer for L.A. The piece also spotlights young upside across the conference—Podziemski, Camara, Braun and Podziemski as high-upside guards with varied fit on playoff hopeful teams—plus veterans Beal, Klay, Monk and Caldwell-Pope offering larger-sample shooting and experience.

OKC’s Dort stands out as a cornerstone fantasy defender who can anchor both steals and threes, while the West’s guard rotation promises depth behind the top tier. The article evaluates players’ trajectories, team contexts, and the risk-reward calculus critical to fantasy leagues, making Dort a compelling blend of floor and upside as the season nears.

Westbrook remains unsigned late in the off-season after a 2024-25 Denver run that showed he can still contribute in spurts, but not at prime level. His intensity is framed as his kryptonite under pressure, with a locker-room flare-up in Denver fueling questions about fit in a shortened rotation. Sacramento and Denver reportedly circle, with Monk and Devin Carter as possible cap-space pivots. The piece also touches on Harden’s playoff peak as a contrast to Westbrook’s current path.

Fantasy takeaway: Westbrook can provide instant offense and playmaking in short bursts for a contender, but his fit is high-risk and bench-roles may limit long-term appeal. His next destination remains wide open, with teams weighing usage, defense, and chemistry as much as production.

Malik Monk trade chatter around Sacramento cooled as the Kings aren’t actively shopping him and weigh paths to open backcourt minutes for Russell Westbrook without moving Monk. Monk’s $18.8 million cap hit this season complicates anything, while Westbrook could land at veteran minimum if a path opens in SAC.

Kuminga’s name surfaced in a potential sign-and-trade that never materialized, leaving Monk in place to anchor guard depth. Sacramento eyes frontcourt help and roster flexibility ahead of training camp, with Sabonis and LaVine’s futures cited as ongoing questions. In short, the market may heat up again at camp, but for now Monk remains a Kings asset and Westbrook remains a possible alternative rather than a swap centerpiece.

Dennis Schroder signed in Sacramento on a three-year, $45 million deal as the Kings push for a playoff run in a deep West. Kuminga remains a target, while Malik Monk has surfaced in trade chatter, though the team reportedly won’t move Monk to clear space for Westbrook. The backcourt puzzle also includes Keon Ellis and Devin Carter as likely rotation pieces.

Westbrook’s unsigned status hangs over the chatter, with Marc Stein noting the Kings would try to open a backcourt spot without sacrificing Monk. The plan signals a bold, high-variance approach, testing multiple lineups to juice playmaking and spacing in a competitive conference.